Why Your Patients Prefer Digital Patient Intake Forms

Patient intake forms have been around as long as the provider has. This crucial task that patients are charged with before a visit ensures that their provider has the patients information available to them. Physicians are able to make an informed decision with well-rounded patient history. The historical downside to the patient intake form is that it is incredibly time-consuming and frustrating for patients, especially on their first visit. It causes delays in wait times as patients scramble to remember their medical history, explain their symptoms, or update information. The development of the digital patient intake form has revolutionized how patients feel about intake, how they complete it, as well as the accuracy of information presented in their chart. The development of the digital patient intake form has engaged the intake process with the modern world, improving patient satisfaction and developed a higher quality of care.

Digital Patient Intake Forms Improve Accuracy

The traditional method of patient intake involved a patient filling out a paper document, to which a staff member then transcribed into the patient’s chart. The issue with this method is that it has the potential to be wildly inaccurate. The transcription process leaves a front office staff to decode a patients handwriting and input everything perfectly. Providers are known for messy handwriting, but patients are just as guilty. The digital patient intake form improves accuracy because the patient is typing their health information directly into their own chart, eliminating transcription entirely.
By allowing patients this direct access to add and edit their own information, the digital patient intake form not only improves accuracy, but confidence as well. Patients have peace of mind with the digital patient intake form, knowing that they verified their own information before entering it into their chart. With the ability to edit past information as well, patients are able to correct errors that may have been made. These errors might have never been brought to the attention of the provider without the patient completing the digital patient intake form themselves.

More Time to Prepare

With traditional intake, the provider would only have a few minutes to review the patient’s updated information before a visit. Due to the inaccuracies associated with transcription and the lack of time to prepare, mistakes are made. With the implementation of the digital patient intake form, providers gain more time to prepare for a visit as well as a more accurate chart to prepare with.
With the digital patient intake form, patients complete their intake days before the visit is set to happen. From there, the provider can take their time studying the patient’s chart and walk into a visit with a complete set of information, improving the medical decision-making process.
This is relevant to the satisfaction of the patient because a patient who feels like their provider is prepared for a visit is more likely to trust and listen to them. The greater trust established between a provider and their patient leads to improved adherence to a treatment plan and better outcomes. Not only this, but the fact that they finished their intake days before the actual visit eliminates wait times on the first visit by an average of 20 minutes.

The Staff

The satisfaction of the patient is not the only thing that is gained by implementing the digital patient intake form. The burden of patient intake has largely fallen on the laps of the front office staff. The elimination of the transcription process liberates the time of the front office. The digital patient intake form automatically merges with an office’s Electronic Health Record so that the staff does not have to worry about it. This improves the cross-checking of information later on as well as time spent on other essential patient-centered tasks.
Patients have advanced to the digital age of health care. The digital patient intake form is a valuable solution to make sure your practice meets them there while improving accuracy, efficiency, and patient satisfaction. To find a digital patient intake form that works for you, click here.